Image reproduction device

ABSTRACT

An image reproduction device has a display interface, a data reading unit, an image processing section, a recording unit, and a control section. The display interface outputs to a monitor device including a display screen. The data reading unit reads data from an external recording device as well as including a connection section capable of electrically connecting the external recording device recording photographic image data. The image processing section generates monitor image data based on the photographic image data. The image size of the monitor image data corresponds to the image resolution of the monitor device. The recording unit records the monitor image data in a memory. The control section performs the reproduction mode in which a reproduction image based on the monitor image data is displayed on the monitor device. Besides, the control section is configured to produce a reproduction image when not connected with the external recording device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a U.S. National Stage application claiming thebenefit of prior filed International Application NumberPCT/JP2005/017991, filed Sep. 29, 2005, in which the InternationalApplication claims a priority date of Oct. 4, 2004 based on prior filedJapanese Application Number 2004-291784, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image reproduction device that readsphotographic image data from a card-type recording medium etc. anddisplays a reproduction image on a monitor device.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, an electronic camera is rapidly spreading, whichrecords photographic image data of an object photographed by an imagepickup device in a card-type recording medium, such as a semiconductormemory etc. It is general for a user of an electronic camera to transferthe photographic image data to a personal computer, etc., formanagement/storage thereof, however, in recent years, the number ofusers who utilizes the card-type recording medium as a final storagemedium is also increasing. Then, an image reproduction device is alsopublicly known, which reads and reproduces to display photographic imagedata from a card-type recording medium for a user etc. who managesphotographic image data in the card-type recording medium, as describedabove (refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

However, with the image reproduction device in the above-mentionedPatent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is not possible to reproduceand display photographic image data of the card-type recording medium ina state in which the card-type recording medium is not inserted. Becauseof this, when a user having many card-type recording media tries toreproduce specific photographic image data, prodigious labor is requiredin order to search for the card-type recording medium recording thephotographic image data and in this point, there is room forimprovement.

In particular, among users who use a card-type recording medium as afinal storing medium, there are many users who feel reluctance to theoperation of a personal computer and many users who dislike thecomplicated editing work etc. Because of this, it is desired to realizemanagement of photographic image data with an easy unit.

-   Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication    No. 2002-132776-   Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application    Publication No. 2003-346089

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to Be Solved by the Invention

The present invention will solve the above-mentioned problems with theprior art and an object thereof is to provide an image reproductiondevice with which a user who manages photographic image data in acard-type recording medium can enjoy reproduction images without theneed to search for a recording medium recording photographic image data.

Means for Solving the Problems

An image reproduction device according to a first embodiment has adisplay interface, a data reading unit, an image processing section, arecording unit, and a control section. The display interface performsoutputting to a monitor device having a display screen. The data readingunit reads data from an external recording device as well as including aconnection section capable of electrically connecting the externalrecording device recording photographic image data. The image processingsection generates monitor image data based on the photographic imagedata. The image size of the monitor image data corresponds to the imageresolution of the monitor device. The recording unit records the monitorimage data in a memory. The control section carries out a reproductionmode in which a reproduction image based on the monitor image data isdisplayed on the monitor device. In addition, the control section isconfigured so as to be capable of reproducing a reproduction image evenwhen not connected with the external recording device. Because of this,in the first invention, it is possible to view and listen to areproduction image without the need to connect the external recordingdevice recording photographic image data. In addition, in the firstinvention, the time taken until a reproduction image is displayed can beshortened compared to the case where the resolution of photographicimage data is transformed each time and then the reproduction image isgenerated.

In a second invention, when the external recording device is connectedelectrically to the connection section, the image processing sectionautomatically generates monitor image data based on data read from theexternal recording device by the data reading unit and the recordingsection records the monitor image data in a memory in the firstinvention. Because of this, in the second invention, the time takenuntil a reproduction image is displayed can be shortened compared to thecase where the resolution of photographic image data is transformed eachtime and then the reproduction image is generated.

In a third invention, the control section records a relationship ofcorrespondence between identification information relating to thephotographic image data the monitor image data of which has already beengenerated and the external recording device of the recording destinationof the photographic image data in the first invention. In addition, thecontrol section extracts difference photographic image data newlyrecorded in the external recording device based on the identificationinformation of the photographic image data when the external recordingdevice is connected. The image processing section generates the monitorimage data of the difference photographic image data. Because of this,in the third invention, it is unlikely that monitor image data that is aduplicate of the photographic image data read in the past from the samerecording medium is generated.

In a fourth invention, the control section excludes, among the extracteddifference photographic image data, photographic image data theidentification information of which coincides with that of thephotographic image data the recording destination of which is differentfrom the difference photographic image data in the third invention.Because of this, in the fourth invention, even when the samephotographic image data is recorded in two or more different recordingmedia, it is unlikely that duplicated monitor image data is generated.

In a fifth invention, the image reproduction device further has anoutput interface capable of connecting a printer in any one of the firstto fourth inventions. The control section outputs the photographic imagedata corresponding to the reproduction image to the printer when thereis a printing direction of the reproduction image in the reproductionmode. In addition, the control section causes the monitor device tooutput a warning display when the photographic image data cannot beread.

In a sixth invention, the image processing section reads thephotographic image data corresponding to the reproduction image togenerate a zoom image of the reproduction image in the reproduction modein any one of the first to fourth inventions. The control section causesthe monitor device to output a warning display when the photographicimage data cannot be read.

In a seventh invention, the control section records data relating to theexternal recording device of the recording destination of thephotographic image data corresponding to the monitor image data in thememory in the fifth or sixth invention. The control section causes themonitor device to output a display indicative of the external recordingdevice of the recording destination of photographic image data when thephotographic image data cannot be read. Because of this, in the seventhinvention, it is made easier for the user to search for the externalrecording device recording desired photographic image data.

In an eighth invention, the control section records data relating to theexternal recording device of the recording destination of thephotographic image data corresponding to the monitor image data in thememory in any one of the first to fourth inventions. The control sectioncauses display data to be output, which is indicative of the externalrecording device of the recording destination of the photographic imagedata corresponding to the reproduction image being displayed in thereproduction mode. Because of this, in the eighth invention, it is madeeasier for the user to search for the external recording devicerecording desired photographic image data.

In a ninth invention, the recording unit has a connector in any one ofthe first to eighth inventions. Then, the memory is connected to theimage reproduction device in an exchangeable manner via the connector.Because of this, in the ninth invention, the expandability of the imagereproduction device is increased by exchange of memories.

In a tenth invention, the control section is capable of duplicating datarecorded in the memory before exchange in the memory after exchange inthe ninth invention. Because of this, in the tenth invention, it ispossible to take over the monitor image data etc. even when memories areexchanged.

In an eleventh invention, the display interface detects the imageresolution of the monitor device in any one of the first to tenthinventions. The image processing section generates the monitor imagedata of an image size corresponding to the detected image resolution.Because of this, in the eleventh invention, monitor image data with aproper resolution is generated in accordance with the monitor devicewith which to view and listen to the reproduction image.

In a twelfth invention, the image reproduction device further has aninput section capable of specifying an image size of the monitor imagedata in any one of the first to tenth inventions. The image processingsection generates the monitor image data of the specified image size.Because of this, in the twelfth invention, the monitor image data isgenerated with the resolution that reflects the user's intention.

In a thirteenth invention, the image processing section generatesmonitor image data of an image size with the highest resolution amongthe standards of the monitor device in any one of the first to tenthinventions. In addition, the image processing section transforms theimage size of the monitor image data into the image resolution of eachmonitor device to generate a reproduction image at the time ofreproduction. Because of this, in the thirteenth invention, it ispossible to view and listen to a reproduction image with a highresolution corresponding to a monitor device even when the monitordevice to be connected is changed to that with a high resolution.

In a fourteenth invention, the image processing section determines theimage size of the monitor image data based on the maximum recordingcapacity of the memory in the ninth or tenth invention. Because of this,in the fourteenth invention, when the maximum recording capacity of thememory is small, it is possible to give priority to the number of framesof the monitor image data by reducing the image size.

Here, the “external recording device” of the present invention includesan electronic camera or a computer to be connected with the imagereproduction device via a publicly-known communication line, in additionto the recording medium. The above-mentioned communication line may bewired or wireless. In addition, the above-mentioned recording medium isone capable of recording photographic image data, and is, for example,most preferably, a card-type recording medium (nonvolatile semiconductormemory or Microdrive (registered trademark), etc.) generally used in anelectronic camera and capable of being rewritten. By the way, therecording medium is not limited to the card-type recording medium, butmay be, for example, another publicly-known recording medium, such as amagnetic tape, magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, etc.

With the present invention, it is possible to view and listen to areproduction image without the need to connect an external recordingdevice recording photographic image data. Because of this, it ispossible for a user to enjoy a desired reproduction image without theneed to search for the external recording device recording photographicimage data from among many external recording devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts aredesignated by identical reference numbers, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image reproduction device in the presentembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outside appearance of the imagereproduction device in the present embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a display example of a liquid crystal displaysection;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the operation of generation of monitor imagedata in the present embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing the operation at the time of printingdirection of a reproduction image; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the operation of generation of a zoomreproduction image.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are explained below in detail basedon the drawings.

(Configuration of image reproduction device in the present embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image reproduction device in the presentembodiment and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outsideappearance of the image reproduction device in the present embodiment.An image reproduction device 1 in the present embodiment is connected toa TV (monitor) 2 etc. The image reproduction device is capable ofreading photographic image data photographed by an electronic camerafrom a publicly-known card-type recording medium 3 (semiconductormemory, Microdrive (registered trademark), etc.) electrically connectedthereto. Then, the image reproduction device 1 displays a reproductionimage of photographic image data on the TV 2.

The image reproduction device 1 in the present embodiment has aplurality of card slots 4, a memory slot for reproduction image 5, animage processing section 6, a buffer memory 7, a display interface 8, aUSB interface 9, an operation section 10, a card display section 11, afront display panel 12, a data bus 14 that connects each section, and acontrol section 15.

A total of the six slot cards 4, three in the front and three in therear on the top surface of the case of the image reproduction device,are provided. To each of the card slots 4, the card-type recordingmedium 3 is connected detachably. Inside the card slot 4, an electriccontact (its drawing is omitted) connected with the data bus 14 isformed. Via the electric contact of the card slot 4, data is read andwritten between the card-type recording medium 3 and the imagereproduction device 1.

In addition, on the top surface of the case of the image reproductiondevice 1, a plurality of dummy slots 16 are formed behind the card slots4 (refer to FIG. 2). This dummy slot 16 serves as a card stand to whichthe card-type recording medium 3 is inserted for storage, not having adata read/write function. In addition, in order to improve the identityrecognizability of the card-type recording medium 3, the depth ofinsertion of the card slot 4 and the dummy slot 16 is set to a depth atwhich a pasted label can be recognized visually in a state in which thecard-type recording medium 3 is inserted.

The memory slot for reproduction image 5 is formed on the rear side ofthe case of the image reproduction device 1 (its drawing is omitted).The memory slot for reproduction image 5 is constituted in the samemanner as that of the above-mentioned card slot 4. In the card-typerecording medium (hereinafter, referred to as a card-type recordingmedium for reproduction image 17) inserted into the memory slot forreproduction image 5, monitor image data and management data, to bedescribed later, are recorded.

The image processing section 6 is an image processing ASIC having acompression/decompression circuit etc. The image processing section 6generates monitor image data by transforming the resolution of thephotographic image data read from the card-type recording medium 3 ofthe card slot. In addition, the image processing section 6 outputs imagesignals of a reproduction image based on the monitor image data. By theway, the buffer memory 7 is a memory that temporarily saves image dataduring the processing of the image processing section 6 and storesvarious setting contents of the device.

The display interface 8 is an interface that outputs image signals ofthe image processing section 6 to the TV 2. This display interface 8 hasthe publicly-known video output terminal, such as a composite videoterminal, separate video terminal, component video terminal, D videoterminal, etc. In addition, the display interface 8 is configured so asto be capable of detecting the video output terminal connected with theTV 2 based on the output of the plug insert detection pin of, forexample, the D video terminal. By the way, in the present embodiment,each video output terminal of the display interface 8 is formed on therear side of the case of the image reproduction device 1.

The USB interface 9 controls transmission/reception of data withperipherals (for example, a photo printer etc.) connected to the imagereproduction device 1 in conformity of the communication standards ofUSB (Universal Serial Bus). By the way, in the present embodiment, theUSB connection terminal of the USB interface 9 is formed on the rearside of the case of the image reproduction device 1.

The operation section 10 has a slide show button 10 a, a print button 10b, a delete button 10 c, a cursor key 10 d, and a power supply button 10e arranged on the front of the case, and six reproduction buttons 10 farranged on the top surface of the case.

The slide show button 10 a is a button configured to produce a slideshow display by sequentially reading the monitor image data recorded inthe card-type recording medium for reproduction image 17 atpredetermined time intervals. The print button 10 b is a buttonconfigured to direct printing of an image currently being reproduced.The delete button 10 c is a button configured to direct deletion of themonitor image data (or the photographic image data) of the imagecurrently being reproduced. The cursor key 10 d is used when the cursordisplayed on the screen in the setting mode is moved etc. In addition,the reproduction button 10 f corresponds to each card slot 4,respectively, and used to produce a reproduction display of the image ofthe card-type recording medium 3 of each card slot 4.

The card display section 11 is constituted by a set of an access lamp 11a and a liquid crystal display section 11 b. Six sets of the carddisplay section 11 are arranged in the vicinity of each card slot 4 onthe top surface of the case and each card display section 11 correspondsto each card slot 4.

The access lamp 11 a lights up in the state in which the card-typerecording medium 3 is inserted into the card slot 4 and blinks at thetime of read and write of the card-type recording medium 3. In addition,the access lamp 11 a changes the colors when lit up in accordance withthe vacant capacity of the card-type recording medium 3. Consequently,it is possible for a user to identify the card-type recording medium 3having a predetermined vacant capacity at a glance.

On the other hand, on the liquid crystal display section 11 b, themaximum recording capacity of the card-type recording medium 3, theamount of records at present, and the most recent imaging date among thecard-type recording media 3 are displayed. In addition, on the liquidcrystal display section 11 b, in the case of the reproduction display bythe reproduction button 10 f, the number of the reproduction image beingdisplayed and the total number of photographic image data recorded inthe card-type recording medium 3 are displayed (refer to FIG. 3). Inaddition, the front display panel 12 is a liquid crystal display sectionarranged on the front of the case. On the front display panel 12, in thecase of the slide show display by the slide show button 10 a, the numberof the reproduction image being displayed and the total number ofmonitor image data are displayed.

The control section 15 carries out mode switching between, for example,the “reproduction mode” in which a reproduction image is displayed, the“setting mode” in which various settings etc. of the image reproductiondevice 1 are made while referring to the setting screen of the TV 2,etc, or carries out the operation control of each section, such as thedisplay control of the card display section 11 and the front displaypanel 12. In addition, the control section 15 has a backup function toduplicate the record data of the card-type recording medium forreproduction image 17 mounted on the memory slot for reproduction image5 and electrically connected thereto into the card-type recording medium3 of the card slot 4 or a new card-type recording medium forreproduction image 17 after exchange.

Further, the control section 15 generates management data for eachmonitor image data and records the management data in the card-typerecording medium for reproduction image 17. Here, the management dataincludes identification information (for example, file name, imagingdate/time, data amount, kind of file, etc.) about the photographic imagedata corresponding to the monitor image data and identificationinformation of the card-type recording medium 3 of the card slot 4,which is the recording destination of the photographic image data. Inthe card-type recording medium for reproduction image 17, theidentification information about the photographic image data describedabove and the identification information of the card-type recordingmedium 3 described above are associated with each other and recorded.

Here, for example, the inherent data (manufacturer of the card-typerecording medium 3, the serial number of each card, the capacity, etc.)recorded in a register inside the card or the data of the volume namecorresponds to the identification information of the card-type recordingmedium 3. By the way, when the card-type recording medium 3 is connectedto the card slot 4 for the first time, it may also be possible for thecontrol section 15 to write the unique information to identify each cardas the identification information of the card-type recording medium 3 tothe card-type recording medium 3 connected to the card slot 4 and recordthe data corresponding to the unique information in the management dataof the card-type recording medium for reproduction image 17 mounted onthe memory slot for reproduction image 5.

(Operation of Generation of Monitor Image Data)

The operation of generation of monitor image data in the presentembodiment is explained below following the flow diagram in FIG. 4.

The user mounts the card-type recording medium 3 recording photographicimage data to the card slot 4 (S101). The control section 15 detectsthat the card-type recording medium 3 is mounted. Based on this, thecontrol section 15 confirms that the card-type recording medium 3 isconnected electrically to the card slot 4. Then, after theabove-mentioned operation of confirmation, the control section 15 startsdata transmission/reception with the mounted card-type recording medium3 via the card slot 4 and the data bus 14.

Next, the control section 15 reads the identification information of theinserted card-type recording medium 3. In addition, the control section15 searches for the management data recorded in the card-type recordingmedium for reproduction image 17 mounted to the memory slot forreproduction image 5. Then, the control section 15 extracts theidentification information of the photographic image data correspondingto the card-type recording medium 3 mounted to the card slot 4 in S101from the management data of the card-type recording medium forreproduction image 17 (S102).

The control section 15 reads the identification information of thephotographic image data currently recorded in the card-type recordingmedium 3 of the card slot 4 from the card-type recording medium 3 of thecard slot 4. The control section 15 collates it with the identificationinformation of the photographic image data in S102 recorded in thecard-type recording medium for reproduction image 17. Then, the controlsection 15 extracts the difference photographic image data newlyrecorded in the card-type recording medium 3 of the card slot 4 based onthe result of collation (S103). In other words, in the stage in S103,the monitor image data is generated excluding the photographic imagedata read in the past from the same recording medium, as a result.

The control section 15 collates the identification information of eachdifference photographic image data with the identification informationof the photographic image data the recording destination of which isdifferent on the management data recorded in the card-type recordingmedium for reproduction image 17 (S104). By the way, in the stage inS103, when there exists no difference photographic image data, thecontrol section 15 moves the process to S107 without executing theprocess in S104.

The control section 15 determines whether or not there is data theidentification information of the photographic image data of whichcoincides with that of another data in the management data in S105. Whenthere is data the identification information of the photographic imagedata of which coincides with that of another data (YES side), thecontrol section 15 excludes all the photographic image data theidentification information of the photographic image data of whichcoincides with that of another data in S104 from the differencephotographic image data (S106). In other words, in the stage in S106,when the same photographic image data is recorded in two or moredifferent recording media, the generation of the duplicated monitorimage data is excluded. On the other hand, when there is no data theidentification information of the photographic image data of which doesnot coincide with that of any data (NO side), the control section 15moves the process to S107.

The control section 15 determines whether or not the differencephotographic image data is nonexistent in the card-type recording medium3 in S101 mounted to the card slot 4 (S107). When the differencephotographic image data is nonexistent (YES side), the control section15 causes the TV 2 to produce a display to the effect that “Nophotographic image data to be updated” (S108), and then, terminates theoperation of generation of the monitor image data. On the other hand,when the difference photographic image data is existent (NO side), thecontrol section 15 directs the image processing section 6 to generatemonitor image data based on the difference photographic image data(S109).

Here, the image size of the monitor image data the image processingsection 6 generates in S109 is determined by either of the followingmethods (1) to (4).

(1) As a first method, the display interface 8 detects the video outputterminal connected with the TV 2. Then, the image processing section 6determines the image size of the monitor image data in accordance withthe image resolution (number of pixels) corresponding to the videooutput terminal.

Specifically, when the display interface 8 detects the connection of D1or D2 video terminal, the image processing section 6 sets the image sizeto 640×480 for the photographic image data the aspect ratio of which is4:3, and sets the image size to 720×480 for the photographic image datathe aspect ratio of which is 3:2. In addition, when the connection of D4video terminal is detected, the image processing section 6 sets theimage size to 960×720 for the photographic image data the aspect ratioof which is 4:3, and sets the image size to 1080×720 for thephotographic image data the aspect ratio of which is 3:2.

Further, when the connection of D3 or D5 video terminal is detected, theimage processing section 6 sets the image size to 1440×1080 for thephotographic image data the aspect ratio of which is 4:3, and sets theimage size to 1620×1080 for the photographic image data the aspect ratioof which is 3:2. On the other hand, when any connection of the videoterminal is not detected, the image processing section 6 sets the imagesize to 640×480 for the photographic image data the aspect ratio ofwhich is 4:3, and sets the image size to 720×480 for the photographicimage data the aspect ratio of which is 3:2.

(2) As a second method, it may also be possible to provide an item tospecify the image size of the monitor image data in the setting mode andcause the image processing section 6 to generate monitor image data ofthe image size specified by the user. By the way, the specification ofthe image size in the setting mode may be done by the user's selectionfrom among a plurality of candidates of the image size prepared inadvance, or the image size may be specified by the user's inputting anumeric value and may be changed freely.

(3) As a third method, it may also be possible for the image processingsection 6 to generate monitor image data in accordance with the imagesize with the highest resolution (number of pixels) of the standards ofthe video terminals at the rear side of the case. For example, when theimage reproduction device 1 has the D video terminals from D1 to D4, theimage processing section generates monitor image data of the image sizecorresponding to the resolution of the D3 video terminal. By the way,when the resolution of the TV and the image size of the monitor imagedata do not coincide with each other when the monitor image data isreproduced, the image processing section 6 thins and display thereproduction image in accordance with the resolution of the connected TV2.

(4) As a fourth method, it may also be possible for the image processingsection 6 to determine the image size based on the maximum recordingcapacity of the card-type recording medium 17 of the memory slot forreproduction image 5. For example, when the maximum recording capacityof the card-type recording medium 17 is equal to or less than 64 MB, theimage size may be set to 640×480 (or 720×480) and increased stepwise asthe recording capacity of the card-type recording medium 17 increases.

Then, after the above-mentioned generation of monitor image data iscompleted, the control section 15 causes the TV 2 to display a displayto the effect that “Generation of monitor image data is completed”(S110). As described above, the operation of generation of monitor imagedata is completed. By the way, the monitor image data generated in thismanner is recorded in the card-type recording medium for reproductionimage 17 of the memory slot for reproduction image 5.

(Operation of Reproduction of Monitor Image Data)

Next, the operation of reproduction of monitor image data in the presentembodiment is explained.

In the reproduction mode, the control section 15 reads monitor imagedata from the card-type recording medium for reproduction image 17 ofthe memory slot for reproduction image 5. The image processing section 6outputs the image signal of the reproduction image based on the monitorimage data. Due to this, the reproduction image is displayed on the TV2. Consequently, even if the card-type recording medium 3 is notconnected to the card slot 4, it is possible for the user to enjoy adesired reproduction image.

In addition, in the reproduction mode, based on management data, it ispossible for the control section 15 to search for the recordingdestination of the photographic image data corresponding to thereproduction image to be reproduced and displayed on the TV 2 anddisplay a display relating to the card-type recording medium 3 of therecording destination on the TV 2. For example, the control section 15displays the capacity of the card-type recording media 3, manufacturer,volume name, etc., on the TV 2 based on the identification informationof the card-type recording medium 3 in the management data.Consequently, due to such a display, it is made easy for the user tosearch for the card-type recording medium 3 recording desiredphotographic image data. By the way, in the reproduction mode, it isalso possible for the control section 15 to produce an indexreproduction display that displays a list of a plurality of reducedimages of monitor image data. In this case, the reduced images aregenerated by the image processing section 6 transforming the resolution(number of pixels) of the monitor image data recorded in the card-typerecording media for reproduction image 17.

In addition, when the user presses the slide show button 10 a, thecontrol section 15 starts a slide show that sequentially displays all ofthe reproduction images of the monitor image data based on themanagement data. It is possible for the control section 15 toappropriately change the order of the displays in the slide show byrearranging the management files on the condition that the photographicimage data is displayed in order of file name or imaging date/time. Bythe way, in the above-mentioned slide show, the number of thereproduction image being displayed and the total number of monitor imagedata are displayed on the front display panel 12.

Further, in a state in which the card-type recording medium 3 isconnected to the card slot 4, the control section 15 reads the maximumrecording capacity, the vacant capacity, the most recent imaging date ofthe card-type recording medium 3 from the card-type recording medium 3and displays the information on the card display section 11 b. Aconfiguration may be possible in which the control section 15 displaysthis information on the TV 2 together with the reproduction image. Inaddition, when the user presses the reproduction button 10 f in a statein which the card-type recording medium 3 is mounted (connected) to thecard slot 4, the control section 15 sequentially displays thereproduction image corresponding to the card slot 4 on the TV 2.

Specifically, by the input of the reproduction button 10 f, the controlsection 15 reads identification information from the card-type recordingmedium 3 of the card slot 4. The control section 15 extracts monitorimage data corresponding to the card-type recording medium 3 from amongthe monitor image data recorded in the card-type recording medium forreproduction image 17 based on the management data. Then, the imageprocessing section 6 sequentially outputs the reproduction image signalsof the extracted monitor image data on TV 2. Consequently, it ispossible for the user to easily grasp what kind of photographic imagedata is recorded in the card-type recording medium 3 mounted (connected)to the card slot 4 by pressing the reproduction button.

The above-mentioned display processing of reproduction image on the TV 2is carried out by the image processing section 6 based on the monitorimage data recorded in the card-type recording medium for reproductionimage 17. It may also be possible to cause the display processing of thereproduction image to be carried out automatically by the imageprocessing section 6 when the card-type recording medium 3 is mounted(or when data is being read) without accepting an input direction oftransfer record or reproduction. Because of this, it is possible toswiftly display the reproduction image compared with the case wherephotographic image data is read from the card-type recording medium eachtime reproduction is directed and monitor image data is generated by thetransformation of the number of pixels.

In addition, it is also possible to print the reproduction image orproduce a zoom display of the reproduction image by performing apredetermined operation during the display of each reproduction image.In these cases, the control section 15 reads photographic image datacorresponding to the reproduction image from the card-type recordingmedium 3 of the card slot 4. Then, the control section 15 carries outthe printing outputting to a printer or the generation of a zoom displayimage by the image processing section. Consequently, it is possible forthe user to obtain prints of high quality and improve the resolution ofthe zoom reproduction image at the time of printing or zoom reproductionby using photographic image data with high resolution.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing the operation when directing printingof a reproduction image. When the user presses the print button 10 bduring the display of the reproduction image, the control section 15reads management data corresponding to the monitor image data beingreproduced (identification information of photographic image datacorresponding to the reproduction image and identification informationof the card-type recording medium of the recording destination) from thecard-type recording medium for reproduction image 17 (S201). Next, thecontrol section 15 reads identification information of the card-typerecording medium 3 connected to each of the card slots 4 from each ofthe card-type recording media 3 (S202).

The control section 15 collates the identification information of thecard-type recording media in S201 and S202 with each other. Then, thecontrol section 15 determines whether or not the card-type recordingmedium 3, which is the recording destination of photographic image datacorresponding to the monitor image data being reproduced, is connected(whether or not the identification information coincides with eachother) (S203). When connected (YES side), the process is moved to S205.On the other hand, when not connected (NO side), the control section 15displays a warning that “Insert the card-type recording medium ofphotographic image data corresponding to the image being displayed” anda display to identify the card-type recording medium 3 of the recordingdestination on the TV 2 (S204) and then returns the process to S202.

The control section 15 reads and searches for identification informationof photographic image data of the card-type recording medium 3 theidentification information of the card-type recording medium which iscoincident and determines whether or not there exists photographic imagedata corresponding to the reproduction image (S205). When there existsphotographic image data (YES side), the control section 15 readsphotographic image data corresponding to the reproduction image from thecard-type recording medium 3 and outputs it to a printer connected viathe USB interface 9 (S206). On the other hand, when there exists nophotographic image data (NO side), the control section 15 displays anotice to the effect that “The photographic image data corresponding tothe reproduction image is deleted” on the TV 2 (S207). As describedabove, a series of operation when printing is directed is completed.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the operation of generation of a zoomreproduction image. By the way, FIG. 6 approximately coincides with FIG.5 except in that the image processing section 6 generates a zoomreproduction image based on photographic image data corresponding to thereproduction image and the control section 15 outputs the zoomreproduction image to the TV 2 (S306), and therefore, its detailedexplanation is omitted.

By the way, in the case of a configuration in which the scale of zoom isvariable, the control section 15 changes the read region of photographicimage data recorded in the card-type recording medium 3 in accordancewith the operation of change in the scale of zoom. Then, after the imageprocessing section 6 carries out transformation processing of theresolution (number of pixels) so that the resolution coincides with thenumber of display pixels of the TV 2, the control section 15 outputs thezoom reproduction image on the TV 2.

By the way, the displays in the above-described S204, S207, S304, andS307 may be displayed on another display device, such as, for example,the front display panel 12, instead of the TV 2.

(Supplementary Items of Embodiments)

As described above, although the present invention is explained with theabove-mentioned embodiments, the technical scope of the presentinvention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

(1) The number of card slots of the image reproduction device of thepresent invention is not limited to the embodiments and can be increasedor decreased by changing the design. For example, the number of cardslots of the image reproduction device may be one in the presentinvention. In addition, the identification information aboutphotographic image data in the management data is not limited to theabove-mentioned embodiments and for example, it may be data such as ashooting condition etc. to be recorded in an image file of the Exitstandard.

(2) In the above-mentioned embodiments, it may also be possible to causemonitor image data and management data to be recorded in the buffermemory built in the present device. By the way, it is desirable that thebuffer memory is a nonvolatile memory that retains the recorded contentseven if power is not supplied.

(3) In the operation of generation of monitor image data in theabove-mentioned embodiments, when the image size of photographic imagedata is less than the determined image size, the photographic image datamay be recorded. In addition, when recording the generated monitor imagedata and if the memory of the card-type recording medium forreproduction image becomes short in capacity, a warning display may bedisplayed on the TV or the past monitor image data may be deletedsequentially.

(4) In the operation of reproduction of monitor image data in theabove-mentioned embodiments, when the photographic image datacorresponding to the reproduction image being displayed is not detected(S207, S307), it may also be possible to carry out the printingoutputting and the generation of the zoom reproduction image based onthe monitor image data. In addition, in the operation of reproduction ofmonitor image data, it may also be possible to display the slide showdisplay from the portion aborted halfway by storing data of order ofdisplay and the progress of reproduction in the buffer memory.

(5) The image reproduction device of the present invention is notlimited to the configuration in which the photographic image data isread from the card-type recording medium of the card slot. For example,a configuration may also be possible, in which the image reproductiondevice reads photographic image data from a computer or an electroniccamera connected via the USB interface. In addition, for example, aconfiguration may also be possible, in which the image reproductiondevice reads photographic image data from a computer or an electroniccamera connected by a wireless LAN (both are not shown).

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments and variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Any improvement may be made in part of all of thecomponents.

1. An image reproduction device comprising: a data reading unit thatreads data from an external recording device as well as having aconnection section capable of electrically connecting said externalrecording device recording photographic image data; an image processingsection that generates monitor image data based on said photographicimage data, wherein an image size of the monitor image data correspondsto an image resolution of a monitor device having a display screen; arecording unit that records said monitor image data in a nonvolatilememory; and a control section that carries out a reproduction mode inwhich the control section reads said monitor image data from thenonvolatile memory and in which a reproduction image based on saidmonitor image data recorded within said nonvolatile memory is displayedon said monitor device, wherein said control section reproduces saidreproduction image even when said external recording device is notconnected to said connection section, said control section records arelationship of correspondence between identification informationrelating to said photographic image data, said monitor image data ofwhich has already been generated, and an external recording device of arecording destination of said photographic image data in saidnonvolatile memory, when said external recording device is connected tosaid connection section, said control section extracts differencephotographic image data newly recorded in said external recording devicebased on the identification information of said photographic image dataand determines whether said difference photographic image data isnonexistent in said external recording device, in which when saiddifference photographic image data is nonexistent, said control sectioncauses said monitor device to output a display indicative of nophotographic image data to be updated and terminates an operation ofgeneration of said monitor image data, and when said differencephotographic image data exists, said image processing section generatessaid monitor image data of said difference photographic image data, andwhen said external recording device is connected electrically to saidconnection section, said image processing section automaticallygenerates said monitor image data based on said data read from saidexternal recording device by said data reading unit, and said recordingunit records said monitor image data in said nonvolatile memory.
 2. Theimage reproduction device according to claim 1, wherein: said controlsection excludes, among said extracted difference photographic imagedata, photographic image data said identification information of whichcoincides with that of said photographic image data the recordingdestination of which is different from said difference photographicimage data.
 3. The image reproduction device according to claim 1,further comprising an output interface capable of connecting a printer,wherein: said control section outputs said photographic image datacorresponding to said reproduction image to said printer when there is aprinting direction of said reproduction image in said reproduction mode,and causes said monitor device to output a warning display when saidphotographic image data cannot be read.
 4. The image reproduction deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein: said control section causes said monitordevice to output a display indicative of an external recording device ofa recording destination of photographic image data when saidphotographic image data cannot be read.
 5. The image reproduction deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: said image processing section reads saidphotographic image data corresponding to said reproduction image togenerate a zoom image of said reproduction image in said reproductionmode; and said control section causes said monitor device to output awarning display when said photographic image data cannot be read.
 6. Theimage reproduction device according to claim 5, wherein: said controlsection causes said monitor device to output a display indicative of anexternal recording device of a recording destination of photographicimage data when said photographic image data cannot be read.
 7. Theimage reproduction device according to claim 1, wherein: said controlsection causes display data to be output, which is indicative of anexternal recording device of a recording destination of saidphotographic image data corresponding to a reproduction image beingdisplayed in said reproduction mode.
 8. The image reproduction deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: said recording unit has a connector; andsaid nonvolatile memory is connected to said image reproduction devicein an exchangeable manner via said connector.
 9. The image reproductiondevice according to claim 8, wherein: said control section is capable ofduplicating data recorded in said nonvolatile memory before exchange insaid nonvolatile memory after exchange.
 10. The image reproductiondevice according to claim 8, wherein: said image processing sectiondetermines the image size of said monitor image data based on themaximum recording capacity of said nonvolatile memory.
 11. The imagereproduction device according to claim 1, further comprising an inputsection capable of specifying an image size of said monitor image data,wherein: said image processing section generates said monitor image dataof the specified image size.
 12. The image reproduction device accordingto claim 1, wherein: said image processing section generates monitorimage data of an image size having the highest resolution among thestandards of said monitor device and transforms the image size of saidmonitor image data into the image resolution of each monitor device togenerate a reproduction image at the time of reproduction.
 13. The imagereproduction device according to claim 1, further comprising a displayinterface that performs outputting to said monitor device.
 14. The imagereproduction device according to claim 13, wherein: said displayinterface detects an image resolution of said monitor device; and saidimage processing section generates said monitor image data of an imagesize corresponding to the detected image resolution.
 15. The imagereproduction device according to claim 1, wherein: said control sectiongenerates management data for each monitor image data, in which themanagement data includes identification information about thephotographic image data corresponding to the monitor image data andrecords said management data in said nonvolatile memory.
 16. The imagereproduction device according to claim 15, wherein: the management datafurther includes identification information about the external recordingdevice which is a recording destination of the photographic image data.